The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1887-09-09

scure, at any rate more awkwardTy worded,
than the laws II superseded. Commerce be-
tween the states was being better system
atized. In short, the country was travelling
slowly toward a sort of unity. But the war
between debtor and creditor was raging with
great severity; the "soft money mem of
many localities dreaded a general government
which would abolish legal tender paper; there
were riots in divers places, and Capt. Daniel
Shay's rebellion in Massachusetts, Com
merce, finances and foreign affairs demanded
a stronger government
On March 2S, 17S5, commissioners from tho
two states Of Virginia and Maryland met
at Mount Vernon TO form plan for the joint
navigation Of the Potomac-George Mason
and Alexander Henderson for Virginia, Dam
iel-of-St- Thomas Jenifer, Thomas Stone and
Samuel Chase for Maryland, all assisted by
Washington. Their special work was quickly
done, SO they discussed general politics, and
ended by drawing up plan Of union for the
two states involving uniform money and
taxes. Maryland promptly acceded and asked
that Delaware and Pennsylvania might be
added. Virginia argued these matters till
Jan. 81, 1856, then by large majorities In both
branches invited all the other states to meet
her in convention at Annapolis, Md, on the
first Monday of the next September. The
sixth congress was in session, and South Car
olina, by Charles Pinckney, led the move
ment for new government. He proposed a
number Of amendments to the articles giving
the central government more power, but was
defeated by the extremists Those who wanted
no change and those who wanted an entirely
new system were alike opposed to reform.
The Annapolis convention met, but three
states sent no delegates and others ar
rived so late that the short sitting
was over before they could act. The
few present united in an able appeal to con-
gress to order national convention. Even
this action excited violent criticism The
Nationalsts were In despair, when Madison,
Of Virginia, raised them again to hope. On
his motion the general assembly unanimously
resolved on Federal convention, to meet at
Philadelphia, May ., 1887, and draft an en-
tire constitution to be presented to the states.
As soon as the news reached New Jersey that
state, on the 23d Of November, acceded and
chose its delegates Pennsylvania followed
In December, North Carolina In January and
Delaware in February. Congress next ap-
proved the measure, and then the states fol-
lowed one by one-all but Rhode Island,
which refused to act as usual. But Mary
land, distracted by fight over paper money,
did not elect till near the end of May, and
New Hampshire was few days later.
On tho 18th Of May, 1857, the day finally
set only Pennsylvania and Virginia were
represented; but their delegates repaired to
the state house, organized and were soon
Joined by others. On the 17th came South
Carolina, on the 18th New York, on the 21st
Delaware, on the 22d North Carolina. On
the 18th William Churchill Houston, of New
Jersey, previously detained by illness, arrived,
and SO the seven states needed for quorum
were presented-from the south, four states,
with nineteen members; from the north,
three states, with ten members. On motion
Of Benjamin Franklin Washington was
unanimously chosen president of the conven-
tion. On the 2Sth the delegates from Massa-
chusetts and Maryland arrived. 1t was a
convention Of learned men. There were nine
graduates Of Princeton, four Of Yale and six
Of other colleges; at least seven were Of some
eminence In literature; one, a native of Scot
land, had taught In her first universities; a
very large proportion were we'll read lawyers,
and nearly all had had long and valuable
training In the state legislatures or congress.
And to these men was submitted this prob.
lem: How shall we combine these sovereigns
into one sovereignty How shall we take
| just enough power from the thirteen to form
government sufficient for all general con.
Germs, especially commerce and foreign
affairs, and yet leave all other powers unim
Uaired in each statei